Wisconsin Special Event Liquor Permit: Cost, Rules & How to Apply
Quick answer
In Wisconsin, alcohol at a one-off public or fundraising event is covered by the Temporary Class "B" (beer) license / temporary "Class B" (wine) license (picnic license, issued locally), open to bona fide clubs and chambers of commerce; county or local fair associations or agricultural societies; churches, lodges or societies in existence at least 6 months; posts of veterans organizations. It costs Set by the municipality, up to $10 per license. No fee for the temporary wine license if a temporary beer license is applied for at the same time for the same event.. The limit is 2 a year.
General information from the state's published rules, not legal advice. Confirm with the agency before your event.
Permit at a glance
- Permit name
- Temporary Class "B" (beer) license / temporary "Class B" (wine) license (picnic license, issued locally)
- Official source
- revenue.wi.gov State statute — Wis. Stat. § 125.26(6); Wis. Stat. § 125.51(10)
- Fee
- Set by the municipality, up to $10 per license. No fee for the temporary wine license if a temporary beer license is applied for at the same time for the same event.
- Annual limit
- 2 a year
- Nonprofits only
- Yes
- Last verified
- May 18, 2026
Who it covers
Who can apply in Wisconsin.
Who can apply: Bona fide clubs and chambers of commerce; county or local fair associations or agricultural societies; churches, lodges or societies in existence at least 6 months; posts of veterans organizations
Beer license under § 125.26(6), wine license under § 125.51(10). Wine: no more than 2 temporary licenses to the same organization in any 12-month period (a multi-location one-day event can count as one). A license issued to a county or district fair covers the entire fairgrounds.
- What is the maximum fee for a Wisconsin temporary beer license?
- $10, set by the issuing municipality
- Is the temporary wine license free if I also get a beer license?
- Yes, no fee may be charged when a temporary beer license is applied for at the same time for the same event
- How many temporary wine licenses can an organization get per year?
- No more than 2 in any 12-month period
- Multi-location events
- A municipality may issue up to 20 temporary wine licenses to the same sponsor for a one-day event held at several locations
- Multi-location event duration
- An event under the multi-location rule may not exceed one day
- Can underage people be on the premises?
- The issuing official may authorize the licensee to allow underage persons on the premises
- Fair licenses
- A license issued to a county or district fair covers the entire fairgrounds, including leased stands
- How must wine be served under a temporary license?
- In the original package, container or bottle, or by the glass if dispensed directly from an original container
- Minimum age of eligible churches, lodges or societies
- Must have existed at least 6 months before applying
How to apply
1 steps, in order.
- Contact the clerk of the city, village or town where the event will be held.
Neighbors
How Wisconsin compares.
| State | Fee | Lead time | Nonprofit only |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | Set by the municipality, up to $10 per license. No fee for the temporary wine license if a temporary beer license is applied for at the same time for the same event. | — | Yes |
| Illinois | $25 per application (one theme, one location, up to 15 days); add a $25 late fee if not received 14 days before the event | 14 days | Yes |
| Michigan | $25 per day for organizations established one year or more; $50 per day if established less than one year. Sunday sales permits extra. | 10 business days | Yes |
Across the border
What changes next door.
- The annual limit is 2 a year here, against 12 a year in Michigan.
Also needed in Wisconsin
Training and liability.
Server training
Mandatory in Wisconsin. Applies to: licensees, servers/sellers (Both establishments; New licensees). APIS data as of 1/1/2025. APIS minimum ages (on-premises): serve beer/wine/spirits 18/18/18, bartend 18/18/18.
Liability
Wis. Stat. § 125.035 Sellers and hosts are generally immune. Liability is possible only if alcohol was given by force or misrepresented as non-alcoholic, or was provided to a known underage person and substantially caused a third party's injury. Classification: limited (general immunity with narrow exceptions (force, misrepresentation, known minors)).
Next steps
Related.
Sources
- Wisconsin — Temporary Class "B" (beer) license / temporary "Class B" (wine) license (picnic license, issued locally) · State statute — Wis. Stat. § 125.26(6); Wis. Stat. § 125.51(10), checked May 18, 2026
- Wis. Stat. § 125.26(6); § 125.51(10) · State statute — Wis. Stat. § 125.26(6); Wis. Stat. § 125.51(10), checked May 18, 2026
- Wisconsin — Is the temporary wine license free if I also get a beer license? · State statute (docs.legis.wisconsin.gov), checked Jun 16, 2026
- Wisconsin — server training · Federal summary (NIAAA APIS), checked Jul 29, 2026
- Wisconsin — Wis. Stat. § 125.035 · State statute — Wis. Stat. § 125.035, checked Feb 16, 2026
General information, not legal advice.